Replenishing means for looms



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 15, 1960 J. P. KlERoNsKl ETAL REPLENISHING MEANS FOR LOOMS Filed July 10 1958 y vil.

March l5, 1960 J. P. KlERONsKl ET AL 2,928,429

REPLENISHING MEANS FOR LooMs Filed July '10, 1958 5 sheets-sheet 2 las INVENToRs JOHN P KusnoNsKl GuNrsR G. GoLM EEJS BpM'fj A TTORNE Y March l5, 1960 J. P. KIERONSKI ET AL REPLENISHING MEANS FOR LOOMS Filed July 10, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 L \1-RAcE g mams INVENTORS dorm P. Klsnousm GUNTER @.GoLM

A TTORNE Y United States Patent REPLENISHING MEANS FOR LOOMS John P. Kieronski, Johnston, and Gunter G. Golm,

Providence, RJ., assignors to Universal Winding Company, Cranston, RJ., a corporation of Massachusetts Application July 10, 1958, Serial No. 747,727

8 Claims. (Cl. 139-229) The present invention pertains to multi-shuttle, automatic, filling replenishing looms and, more particularly, relates to a means to be incorporated in such looms to delay and to space apart more widely the bobbin transfer in situations where such looms indicate transfer to a second shuttle immediately after transfer to a first.'

Looms of the type mentioned above, such, for example,- as a loom with a (2 x l) box motion, are usually equipped with a filling replenishing mechanism automatically operative upon substantial4 exhaustion of its filling supply to replace the bobbin in the working shuttle with a bobbin v carrying a full supply. vIn addition to the above mechauism such looms are provided with upper and lower feeler devices disposed to enter their particular shuttle and to detect the condition of the filling supply on the then non-running shuttle upon each rise and drop of the shifting shuttle boxes. It may happen at times that a feeler may indicate substantial exhaustion of filling in a shuttle and initiate operation of the replenishing mechanism, and after picking the alternate shuttle, the boxes may be shifted and a second feeler device may detect and indicate substantial exhaustion of filling in that shuttle.

The replenishing mechanism of the loom will normally effect these two transfers in rapid succession, that is, with the usual 2 x l box motion, in such manner that the second transfer is spaced two picks from the first. However, there are other factors to be considered beyond the kmere capability of the mechanism to accomplish such First, at transfer, Y

transfer functions in rapid succession. the outgoing thread is cut and held by the Stafford cutter; also, this end held at the cutter and another running from the battery to the fabric selvage must be cut adjacent the selvage by the temple thread cutter. It is well known that this latter function takes more than the two picks above mentioned and, naturally, if a second transfer follows too closely, then the Stafford cutter is calledV upon to cut and bind a second end before that it already holds has been cutby the temple cutter'. The result may well be that that released end will be dragged or whipped into the fabric to cause an imperfection.

Again, in looms with which a pirn winding means is directly employed to furnish a filling supply, e.g the Unifil mechanism manufactured by Universal Winding Co. of Cranston, Rhode Island, a bobbin stripper is utilized and such a device is not adapted to receive a strip a second bobbin following too closely after a first one being stripped. The small number of picks normally F t t It is a general object of the invention to provide mech- `looms of this type which employ either'mechanically or electrically operating filling feelers.

Other objects will appear from the following more detailed disclosure.

According to the invention a means is applied to the transfer setting linkage to lock that linkage in an inactive position after a first transfer. When in that position, the replenishing mechanism is temporarily disabled from indicating a second transfer until at the next forward move ment of the filling cam follower trip, the linkage is unlocked or released and can then indicate and initiate the cycle of transfer for replenishing the second shuttle.

The invention will be described in detail by reference to a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying figures of drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of a loom having a 2 x 1 box motion and to which the invention has been applied.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of that part of the filling position.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing parts as seen from the opposite side.

Figs. 4 and 5 are views similar to Figs.r2 and 3 but showing the parts with the lifting lever unlocked.

Fig. 6 is a section taken vertically at the line 6-6, Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the cycle in these looms where two transfers occur in succession with a minimum of picks intervening.

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the same cycle, but with a delay interposed by use of the present mechanism.

Now referring to Fig. l, the invention has been shown as it applies to an XD model loom manufactured by Draper Corporation of Hopedale, Massachusetts. These looms have a pair of vertically movable shuttle boxes at one end and a battery and other replenishing means at Filling carried by these fiy shuttles periodically becomes exhausted and a feeler mechanism acts to set up the transfer function. Here each filling package and its shuttle are served by an individual feeler which may preferably be of the side slipping type-although that is not entirely necessary. Here electrical feeler means is described but it is to be understood that such function may be mechanically carried through.

The basic loom is shown in dotand-dash lines and includes among other parts, a loom side 1t?, lay and lay end 11, picker stick 12, checking means 13 and a lug strap 14. At the lay end a pair of shuttle boxes 15 having upper and lower binders 16 and i7 are raised and lowered as a unit in a conventional manner by a'rod 18. The usual lifting means is employed and the boxes are guided and stopped in a conventional way.

Parts which are more intimately concerned with the invention are shown in full lines. An upper feeler 19 and lower feeler 20' are of the type shown and described in United States Patent No. 1,854,963 and these are electrically interconnected through conduits 2.1 and 22 to a solenoid 2 3.

Patented Mar. l5, 1960 Y transfer means at theV right hand end of the loom. An

arm 26 fixed to the starting rod has a filling feeler-slide 27 Yguided for in-line motion forwardly and rearwardly of the loomand pivotcdto it atV 28. A depending lug 2-9 slides in slot 30V in bracket 31 and maintains the slide in its proper path and at a prescribedheight.

The upper hooked end 32 of a filling cam follower trip 33 is swung to and fro, one complete oscillation for every two picks made by the loom Vand normally thatmotion induced by a filling cam (not shown) is an idle one. However, at such times as filling is indicated to be nearly exhausted in a shuttle, this hooked end 32 is connected to an endY 34 ofthe slide 27 so that forward motion of the trip 33vcarries slide 27 with it to swing arm 26 and theV starter shaft forwardly to set the transfer parts. Of course, that is all timed to occur at the correct point in the cycle for transfer as will be explained.

To interconnect the hook 32 and slide end 34 a lifting lever 35 pivoted to the slide end at'36 is elevated to enter notch 37 in the hook end. That is accomplished here specifically by means of an auxiliary lever having a forwardly directed arm 38 and an offset arm 39 ther toe 40 of which engages Yunder lifter lever 35 between its pivot and that end engageable in the notch, and a Bowden wire cable 41. The latter is carried by a guide bracket 42 and is pushed upwardly by an arm 43 actuated by the solenoid. At its upper end it engages beneath Varm 39 of the auxiliary lever. This lever is pivoted to,

therslide at 44.V

Thus upon actuation of the solenoid by either feeler Y 19 or 2f), the lifting'lever is raised and transferwill be completedV upon forward motion of the lay in the usual manner. However, in these. looms it should be borne in mind that it is always the inactive shuttle thesupply of filling in which is being indicated and thus there must be provisionfor holding that indication over until that shuttle isfpicked over to the replenishing side after two picks have been made'by the then active shuttle.

Here is it only necessary to recallthe fact that-it is accomplished by timing and by constituting the solenoid as a holding circuit. At the time indication Yis taken and the solenoid .actuated the filling cam follower trip will have just moved forwardly so that the Vraising of the lifter lever comes just too late for-it Yto enter Athe notch 37. Thus it will be twopicks later before that can occur. The magnet or solenoid being part of a holding circuit provides for the lifter lever remaining up to latch these parts together so the slide may be pushedY forwardly to set the transfer means to carry out its function after the boxes have moved and at the first pick of that shuttle which is to be replenished. When replenishment has occurred, the parts are Vrendered inactive by a cam 44 which acts upon an adjustable follower screw 33' at the end of arm V38. That forces the parts downwardly and releases the armature at the solenoid.

i In the event filling in both shuttles becomes exhausted at substantially the same time two indications will take place, a second one at the very next vertical shifting of the :shuttle boxes after a first indication, and thereV just moved upwardlyand the X denotes an indication at feeler 19, Fig. l so that the transfer cycle is set up to the point where the lifting lever is raised. However,

shuttle S-Z is pickedV ovei and back first whereupon the boxes move downwardly toY position II and feeler 20` indicates for ay transfer at shuttle S-Z. Shuttle S-1 then is picked to the right, isreplenished and is returned. The boxes then move to position III and as the shuttle S-Z is picked it receives a full bobbin and is returned.`

Thus, as theloom is normally operated a second transfer cornes at the second pick after the first.

According to the invention this spacing-between,- picks is extended by four picks. To accomplish that a blocking means is applied to an element in the linkage which sets up the transfer mechanism for carrying through its function so that it will not be effective at that indication comauxiliary lever arm 39, but it is to be understood that it` p may be applied at other points in the linkage.

This mechanism comprises very few, simple parts which may be installed without any change to existing parts on the loom. It comprises as its principal part a slide member 45 slotted as at 46 to be retained upon stud 44, Fig. 6 especially, and also to permit its movement lengthwise of the arm 39. This member 45 is continued upwardly at one end to extend as at 47across the arm to the opposite side of the slide and to depend at 48 past the stud so as to provider a sort of U-shaped extension to which is adjustably attached-by a screw 49 a resetting member50. The latter is slotted at 51 and thus may adjustments. Every time the filling cam slide 27 moves i to the front theforward end of slide 45 is then contacted by a fixed stop member 53 whereupon the device is set to project the parts into transfer inhibiting position (Fig.

2) in a manner to be explained. The stop member is clamped under or by the bracket 31, or by` any other suitable tixed part of the adjacent loom structure.

The slide member also carries at its innermost end an adjustable plate 54 having an angularly disposed, laterally directed, wedge piece 55. This wedges under a boss v56 forming a part of the slide end 34 and when in the ,positionof Figs. 2 and 3, that is, when a delaying action is set up locks the arm 39 downwardly so `that the sole-V noidandlinkage affected thereby cannot raise this arrn andthe lifting lever remains inactive. The plate 54 is attached toslide member Y45 by a screw 57 and it may 'e be swung about its attaching point to position the wedging piece higher or lower. Y Y

A laterally bentlug 5S rests `upon the top of `arm 39 Landholds up thatiendV of thefslide 45 on the arm so the wedgingr action may be imparted to the arm.

The parts are held in position by a U-shapedspring of flat spring stock. This spring has one side piece 59 apertured to be held onstud 44 and the other parallel side member 69 fits upV between slide -27 and the depending part 48. In assembly, the slide and attachedparts are placedon the arm 39 and then thespring is sprung into 1 place the sideA 59r snapping onto the stud end when its aperture alignsV therewith. t e

The parts are set in active or transfer inhibiting position at a transfer as at that time movement of slide 27 to Vengagea laterally "bentwall 611 of the resetting member 5@ and thereby move the parts to an inactive relationship.

Now referring to Fig. 8, with the mechanism herein 'l described and illustrated, the cycle of transfers, one immediately after another,A starts :asin Fig. 7,. but every` time the filling feelerslidemoves to rock the starter rod the wedge piece 55 is inserted below lug 56. At transfer indication X, position I, shuttle S-Z is picked over and back, the boxes move down to position II and the shuttle S-l is picked and replenished. v

On this move to position II a second indication for transfer has been made, however, this time for shuttle S-2, but since on the previous transfer arm 39 has been locked down and there has not been time for the wall 61 to be contacted to retract the parts, this is an idle or ineffective effort.

The boxes move up to vposition lli and shuttle S-Z is again picked and returned.` The feeler bunch on the bobbin must contain enough thread to make these extra picks. l

The boxes move downwardly again to position 1V and the replenished shuttle S-l is picked to and fro. On that movement the feeler will again indicate and this time the disabling means will have been withdrawn so that at the next box change V and the first pick of shuttle S-Z transfer will be effected.

Here it becomes evident that there are four more picks in the cycle after the first shuttle was replenished before the next one is actually in position and can receive its bobbin. This gives added time needed to assure that the temple thread cutter will have worked to sever the threads at the selvage, or if other apparatus utilizing a bobbin stripper, for example, is acting to supply filling in the weaving function, sufficient time to clear one empty bobbin before another enters will be available.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried ont in a number of ways. This invention is, therefore, not tobe limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

We claim:

l. In a multi-shuttle loom of the type described the combination of means for successively replenishing filling in at least two shuttles wherein the filling supply has become exhausted at substantially the same time which includes filling feeler means for each shuttle, a linkage responsive to indication by either of said feeler means for effecting transfer of a full supply of filling first to one shuttle and then to a second shuttle, and means for locking said linkage against completing its transfer function at the first indication for the second shuttle to be replenished. Y

2. In a multi-shuttle loom of the type described the combination of means for successively replenishing filling in at least two shuttles wherein the filling supply has become exhausted at substantially the same time which includes filling feeler means for each shuttle, a linkage responsive to indication by either of said feeler means for effecting transfer of a full supply of filling first to one shuttle and then to a second shuttle, and a means forming a part of and effective upon at least one element in said linkage for locking it in an inactive position at the first indication for transfer to the second shuttle successively to be replenished.

3. In a multi-shuttle loom of the type described the combination of means for successively replenishing filling in at least two vshuttles wherein the filling supply has be@ member and means effective at each transfer function for i looking the linkage against being interconnected at the next succeeding movement of said periodically movable member.

4. Mechanism as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for locking the linkage as described is applied to a lever movable in response to indication for filling replenish# ment.

5. Mechanism as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for locking the linkage as described comprises a slide member applied to a lever, a wedging portion carried by said slide member engageable with a fixed abutment and a means engageable by a stop for setting said slide member in a position to lock the lever in an inactive position.

6. In a multi-shuttle loom of the type described the combination of movable shuttle boxes, shuttles in said shuttle boxes, means to move said shuttle boxes for picking first one shuttle to and fro in the loom and then the other said shuttle while the first is maintained idle, means to indicate near exhaustion of filling in each shuttle and Vother means responsive to an indication for transferring a full supply of filling to that shuttle requiring replenishment, said last mentioned means normally acting to replenish the second shuttle becoming exhausted two picks later in the cycle than the first where both shuttles become exhausted at substantially the same time, and means for delaying the replenishing of the second shuttle simultaneously requiring such replenishment for at least four additional picks. Y

7. Mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for causing such delay is set in active position to effect said delay by a first transfer motion of parts and is released upon a subsequent movement of parts incidental to transfer, but after two intervening picks.

8. Mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for delaying the replenishing of the second shuttle comprises a slide member applied to a movable part of said transfer means, means to set said slide member upon indication and transfer to a first shuttle, means forming a part of the slide member for locking the movable part in an inactive position, and other means for releasing the slide to a non-locking relationship after an interval of at least two intervening picks. Y

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 972,872 King Oct. 18, 1910 1,965,154 Payne Iuly 3, 1934 2,360,852 Darwin Oct. 24, 1944 2,592,199 Sepavich et al. Apr. 8, 1952 

